He is alleged to have brandished a meat cleaver at his partner, Rachel McGee, threatened to kill her, shouted abuse at her and punched her in the face.

All these incidents are alleged to have taken place in the early hours of the morning at her home on Sycamore Avenue in Golcar between March 14 and 17 this year.

Matherson, who has a child with his partner, denies the charges and now faces trial at crown court.

His case was adjourned until 19am on May 22, when a committal hearing will be held.

District judge Jonathan Bennett granted Matherson conditional bail.

The conditions are that he lives and sleeps at his sister’s property on Alandale Road in Bradley, remains under curfew there between 9pm and 6am and has no contact with his partner except via solicitors if he wishes to make contact with his child.

Also, Matherson is not permitted to go on to Sycamore Avenue, Scar Lane and Benn Lane.